So about six months ago I included a PS. on a blog post about how I had written an article for the absolutely beautiful Making Magazine. The article was entitled Craft As An Elevated Life and was all about how craft elevates us from the everyday by supporting us, and connecting us.

Fast forward to the Dots version of Making coming out. At the time I was in America, and was two days away from meeting the lovely Carrie (the founder of Making) who is going to be my roommate at Squam. I've never met her before and was so bloody excited, as we have "known" one another since the early days of Ravelry.

Anyhoo, on my way to Squam I stopped off in California to see my lovely friend Kellen, and one of the many fun things we packed into our two days was a trip to the beautiful Cattywampus store in Ojai. They have Making Mag and the Dots issue has just been released! I pick it up and start flipping through, once, twice and then again. No article.

I tried to be brave, but I was thinking Oh My God!! She! Didn't! Like! It!

It seemed like she had when I sent it to her. She sent me back a lovely enthusiastic email. What could have gone wrong???

When I got to Squam I met Carrie and adored her from the moment I met her. And not in an internet "I ADORED her" kind of way but in a real "She is ace!" way. She's funny - a good woman with an eye twinkle.* The conversation eventually came around to Making and I bravely asked about the article trying to keep any trace of sadness from my voice, being super casual..... "oh did my article not fit what you wanted". I'm laughing as I'm writing this because I actually have no idea exactly what I said. I do know that somehow I managed to sound not too crazy.

Anyway Carrie looks and me a little shocked and says "Of course! I loved it!! But it was always meant for the next issue!!".

Queue massive relief from me, as I love the article I wrote for her. The article was my best shot at describing how craft elevates our lives and gives us meaning, because it really does!

Anyway it appears I didn't read an email properly and got the wrong issue.

If you haven't picked up Making yet, then please pick up a copy of this one. It is such a beautiful magazine - each project, image, recipe and essay are written with such intention. You can see the love Carrie (and now the lovely Ashley!!) are putting into it.

The photos below are from my week at Squam. I was doing some work on my book, writing at the beautiful Tamworth Lyceum, and got lost on the way back to camp. I love getting lost and this is such a beautiful place to get lost in - it feels a little surreal as it feels like you have stepped into a movie set. The houses and the setting of Squam lake are all so picture perfect it is ridiculous. All white paint and green lawns. That said, my favourite houses were the ones that were a little ramshackle-ish and falling down.

Most of these photos were taken out the window of my car as I wandered through the wilds of New Hampshire.